Our Residents
Our residents come from around the country and around the world, bringing with them a wide variety of unique experiences and perspectives as they continue their medical studies at Yuma Regional Medical Center.
Third-Year Residents
Kristianne Amurao, M.D.
Dr. Amurao was born in Sacramento, California, and grew up in Roseville, California. She earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. Her clinical areas of interest include sports medicine, integrative medicine and community outreach. Her patient care philosophy involves taking care of not only the disease, but the person as a whole — caring for their physical and mental well-being. In her spare time, she enjoys fitness activities, Pilates, and spending time with family.
Dina Bacon, M.D.
Dr. Bacon was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, but grew up in the town of Elizabeth. She earned her medical degree from Atlantic University School of Medicine, St. Lucia. Her areas of clinical interest include family medicine, emergency medicine, sports medicine and medical education. Dr. Bacon’s patient care philosophy focuses on treating each patient as an individual and providing them with the care that a doctor would want for her family members. Her personal interests include going to the beach, a “secret love” for fishing, traveling, container gardening and spending time with her family.
Lee Barnwell, M.D.
Dr. Barnwell was born in Lancaster, Ohio, but considers Beaver Dam, Kentucky, to be home. He earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Kitts. His clinical areas of interest include rural community medicine, sports medicine, leadership in health care and pediatrics. Dr. Barnwell’s patient care philosophy focuses on providing compassionate, respectful care to all patients as they navigate the healthcare system. His personal interests include spending time with his wife and daughter, singing karaoke, playing tennis and swimming.
Stephanie Clark, M.D.
Dr. Clark was born and raised in Queens, New York. She earned her medical degree from St. James School of Medicine Anguilla. Her clinical areas of interest include all aspects of family medicine, sports medicine and urgent care. Dr. Clark’s patient care philosophy focuses on care for the whole patient, taking into account their individual social, cultural, and medical needs. She stresses the need to educate patients and family members about their disease or illness, teaching them the behaviors needed to promote their recovery and long-term well-being. Her personal interests include cheering for Real Madrid, working with her hands and tackling home renovations.
Michael McCullagh, M.D.
Dr. McCullagh was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada. He earned his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts and Nevis. His clinical areas of interest include caring for the underserved, global health and emergency care. Dr. McCullagh’s patient care philosophy involves reaching beyond the doctor’s office through educational initiatives, raising awareness of systemic healthcare disparities and investing in integrative and preventative medicine. His personal interests include being outdoors, traveling, hiking, camping and exploring new places.
Nafisah Naqvi, M.D.
Dr. Naqvi was born and raised in Southern California. She earned her medical degree at Ross University, which offered the “humbling opportunity” to experience her first two years of medicine on the island of Dominica. She attended her final two years of medical school at California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles. Her clinical interests include pediatrics and women’s health. Dr. Naqvi’s patient care philosophy focuses on her role as a patient educator. She empowers them with the knowledge to exercise a greater role in their well-being. Her personal interests include nature, going on walks and jogs, the gym, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Neil Navarrez, M.D.
Dr. Neil Navarrez was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He studied biology at the University of California in Santa Barbara and earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada. After completing an intern year in internal medicine, Dr. Navarrez decided to switch to family medicine. His clinical interests include preventative medicine, global health and community outreach. He appreciates the privilege of forming long-term relationships with patients and caring for entire families. He hopes the residency experience will provide him with a unique vantage point to tailor care to each patient’s medical needs. When he’s not practicing medicine, Dr. Navarrez likes spending time with his wife and dog while enjoying hiking, kayaking, playing basketball and other outdoor activities.
Mina Tawadrous, M.D.
Dr. Tawadrous was born in Cairo, Egypt, but grew up in Kuwait and the United States. He considers Claremont, California, to be home. He earned his medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada. His areas of clinical interest include community and underserved medicine. Dr. Tawadrous’s patient care philosophy involves treating every patient as if he was treating a member of his own family. His personal interests include working on cars, attending car-related events, playing soccer, listening to music and playing the piano.
Second-Year Residents
Sana Aman, M.D.
Dr. Sana Aman is originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at Carleton University. She earned her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Kitts & Nevis. Dr. Aman’s clinical interests are ever-expanding and currently lie in urgent care, preventive medicine, behavioral science and aesthetic medicine. Her patient care philosophy involves a down-to-earth approach of connecting with her patients. She has an interest in helping underserved communities and strives to help patients understand the healthcare system and their individual health. In her spare time, Dr. Aman enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, blogging and meeting new people.
Zainab Amin, M.D.
Dr. Zainab Amin was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan. She earned her medical degree from the Washington University of Health and Science in Belize. Women’s health and obstetrics comprise some of Dr. Amin’s keen areas of clinical interest. After completing her residency, her dream is to pursue a family medicine obstetrics fellowship. When she is not practicing medicine, Dr. Amin loves to spend time with her family and enjoy outdoor activities.
Reina Ayala, M.D.
Dr. Reina Ayala is originally from San Diego, California. She received her medical degree at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Mexico. Before receiving her medical degree, she studied biology at the University of California Berkeley, where she discovered her passion for medicine. Dr. Ayala strives to increase community partnerships, eliminate health disparities and promote health literacy. She is especially dedicated to providing care to the underserved, including the elderly and minority communities. When she is not practicing medicine, she is committed to her two young children, tutoring, running, hiking and going to the gym.
Ludny Charles, M.D.
Dr. Ludny Charles was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Irvington, New Jersey. She earned her medical degree from the University of Medicine & Health Sciences in St. Kitts. Her areas of clinical interests include community outreach, global health, nutrition and preventive medicine. Her future career plans include training in underserved communities that face significant health disparities. Dr. Charles enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, as well as traveling, cooking, dancing and outdoor activities.
Cullen Copeland, M.D.
Dr. Cullen Copeland is originally from Livingston, Tennessee. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. After working as an emergency medicine technician at the University of Tennessee Knoxville for twelve years, he decided to pursue a career as a physician. Dr. Copeland earned his medical degree from St. James School of Medicine in Anguilla, West Indies. His clinical interests include emergency medicine, women’s care, pediatrics and global missionary work. In his spare time, he enjoys the great outdoors with his wife and children, golfing, traveling and medical mission work.
Pamela Cuebas, M.D.
Dr. Pamela Cuebas was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Then, she attended medical school at the University of Health Sciences in St. Kitts. Her care philosophy is to treat the patient as a whole and incorporate physical, mental and social aspects of health. Dr. Cuebas applies holistic and integrative medicine whenever possible. She believes that physicians should always be involved in patient education. Her clinical interests include lifestyle medicine, preventative medicine and women’s health. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, getting together with family and friends, playing board games, going on road trips and salsa dancing.
Nicole Daniel, M.D.
Dr. Nicole Daniel was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She earned her medical degree from the Medical University of Lodz in Lodz, Poland. Her clinical areas of interest include preventative medicine, nutrition, rural medicine, global health and community medicine. Dr. Daniel has a special interest in helping the underserved, and she uses an empathetic and attentive approach with all her patients. Her personal interests include spending time with her family and friends, weight lifting, traveling, discovering new food spots and outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and biking.
Veerauo Konkankit, M.D.
Dr. Veerauo Konkankit was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She earned her bachelor of biological sciences degree from UC Irvine in Irvine, California. She then pursued a master of physiological science from UCLA in Los Angeles, California, and a medical doctorate from Saint James School of Medicine in Anguilla. Dr. Konkankit’s areas of clinical interest include ambulatory and hospital medicine, lifestyle and integrative medicine, community medicine and sports medicine. She is a strong advocate for her patients and believes in the importance of working together with patients as a team. Her love of medicine has taken Dr. Konkankit around the country to advance research and care for patients in diverse settings. She hopes to use her experiences to encourage and mentor young adults who aspire to a medical career. She enjoys cooking, gardening, working out and spending time outdoors with her husband and children.
First-Year Residents
Deya Ajaleh, M.D.
Dr. Deya Ajaleh grew up in a small rural community outside Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He was a practicing paramedic who was involved in search and rescue operations for several years before deciding to change careers in pursuit of better patient outcomes. He earned his medical degree from Avalon University School of Medicine on the Caribbean island of Curacao. Dr. Ajaleh has always been a champion of patient advocacy and a lifelong learner. He uses a holistic approach to medicine while incorporating a preventative outlook. His clinical interests include psychological well-being, community medicine and management of chronic conditions. On his days off, Dr. Ajaleh enjoys staying active, exploring local events, maintaining strong family ties and social circles.
Jason Pannozzo, M.D.
Dr. Jason Pannozzo was born and raised in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. He earned his medical degree from Medical University of the Americas in St.Kitts & Nevis. His clinical areas of interest include community medicine, urgent care and sports medicine. Dr. Pannozzo’s patient care philosophy is to practice both the art and science of medicine. A discipline where respectful compassion, patient advocacy, and teamwork intertwine with providing comprehensive care for all patients. His personal interests include traveling, outdoor activities, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Mirna Mikhael, M.D.
Dr. Mirna Mikhael was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California. She earned her medical degree from American University of the Caribbean, School of Medicine in Sint Maarten. She believes that patient care encompasses not only the body, but also the mind. She strives to provide care that is inclusive of patients’ diverse backgrounds and unique experiences. Dr. Mikhael’s areas of clinical interest include preventative medicine, women’s health, and procedures. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, reading, going to the beach or pool, traveling, and practicing her art skills.
Ravi Jagani, M.D.
Dr. Ravi P. Jagani was born in Rajkot, India, and grew up in Brampton, Canada. Being passionate about medicine, he entered medical school after high school and earned his medical degree from All Saints University College of Medicine, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. His clinical areas of interest include caring for underserved populations and preventative medicine. Dr. Jagani’s patient care philosophy involves connecting with the patients at an individual level and valuing health and well-being practices through teaching his patients. In his free time, Dr. Jagani enjoys spending time with his family, outdoor activities, watching and playing cricket, and exploring new places.
Jagat Patel, M.D.
Dr. Jagat R Patel was born and raised in the small town of Oakland Park, Florida. He earned his medical degree from Windsor University School of Medicine in Saint Kitts. After graduating medical school, he worked as a medical board instructor, where he had an impact on patient lives through the training of future physician minds. Dr Patel’s philosophy in patient care involves building trust and long-lasting relationships with his patients to prevent diseases before they ever happen. His other clinical interest include behavioral health by promoting mindfulness and wellness, and advocating for social determinants of health and equity. When not seeing patients, Dr Patel loves being active in his community, watching and playing sports like basketball and football, trying different cuisines, going to the gym, experimenting in the kitchen, and enjoying time with friends and family.
Kaitlyn Pesterfield, M.D.
Dr. Pesterfield was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. She earned her bachelor of biological sciences degree from UC Irvine and went on to earn her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include community medicine, women’s health, obstetrics, and global health. Dr. Pesterfield focuses on treating patients as a whole with compassion and respect. She is a strong advocate of patient education and believes in the importance of working together with patients as a team. Dr. Pesterfield enjoys reading, traveling, swimming, hiking, and paddleboarding in her spare time.
Vishav Sehdev, M.D.
Vishav Sehdev was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was inspired to become a physician after witnessing the devastating effects of people without homes, people with substance abuse issues, and people with mental health struggles at the motel his family owned as a child. He earned his bachelor’s in biology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and earned his medical degree from Saint James School of Medicine in Anguilla, British West Indies, and during his studies developed an interest in behavioral health, underserved medicine, hospitalist, and sports medicine. His experience studying medicine and working with organizations such as the Vegas Rescue, Pilsen Food Pantry, Anguilla Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity speaks to Dr. Sehdev’s calm and empathic personality. His philosophy for patient care stems from providing competent and optimal care to patients, their families, and the community. Outside of work, Dr. Sehdev loves to root for the Las Vegas Raiders and the Vegas Golden Knights with his family and friends, he also enjoys working out to classic rock and attending live music concerts.
Derrick Smith, M.D.
Dr. D. Wayne Smith is originally from Shreveport, LA but has lived in over 10 cities with Los Angeles as his second home and London UK as his favorite city. Dr. D. received his Doctorate of Medicine from the American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten after completing clinical rotations in London and Miami. He possesses a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Arizona State University, a master’s degree in Counseling from Oral Roberts University, and multiple certifications from institutions entailing UPENN, Yale, and Rutgers. Being licensed as a psychotherapist is a reflection of his dedication to behavioral health in addition to physical health. He is interested in the areas of healthcare administration, community health, healthcare disparities, hospital medicine, and entrepreneurship. Dr. D. loves to lift weights, bike ride, hike, watch movies, play virtual reality, and laugh immensely.
